SISD cancels May election, discuss construction updates

In a very short agenda, the Shiner Independent School District has officially ordered to cancel their 2024 general election at the March 18th meeting. 
The reason they opted to do this was because SISD had no contested races for school board positions.
The state of Texas permits local entities to cancel their election whenever they have no challenged races. Only incumbents were in the running for SISD. 
Place 1 board member Julie Gamez and Place 7 board member Jared Boedeker will be reviving their respective roles on the school board for the 2024-25 school year. 
Had any challengers ran, the election would’ve been held on May 4.
“I’m really excited that we have the same board continuing because they are really solid people who care a bunch about our community,” Superintendent Alex Remschel said. “Combined, we do a lot of good things for the students in the district.”
The board also discussed some bond construction updates and other district projects. Most recently, new fencing has been put up over spring break.
“I needed to make sure (this fence) was as safe as possible,” Remschel said. “So this is a six-foot chain link fence that has the privacy film over it. 
We are able to close that and latch it during the school day. 
We are also re-programming our doors so that the front doors will open during passing periods only.”
Work is also being done on stripping the grass from the parking lot to get that area in gear and ready for renovation. 
This summer, the district will focus on sprucing up the cafeteria. Work is also being done inside the gymnasium.
“Our Athletic Academic Foundation is doing some work at the old gymnasium,” Remschel said.
“They have cinder blocked in all of the big indoor windows in the gym, and the first of two A/C units are already in place.”
There will also be a new volleyball net system in the gym as well as additional paint work on the walls. 
The district also repaired a drain valve that broke during the winter freeze.
Currently, the district is holding steady in enrollment numbers at 694 students. 
The board also approved the retirement of several teachers. 
First grade teacher Sherri Michalec, second grade teacher Melinda Berkovsky, and special education teacher Kim Kalich will all be retiring this school year.
Ashley Holik was hired as first grade teacher for the 2024-25 school year. 
“(Holik) has been working with us as a special education aide for the last two years, but she did come to us as a certified teacher who has been teaching with a background in first grade for several years prior at a previous district around Austin,” Remschel said. “She’s been a great addition to our staff.”